A Hero for Tonight

By Roni Adams

US Marine Reserve Shane Donovan dealt with a lot of harsh realities while being deployed, but it was almost a welcome relief to be away from Krista Saunders. She'd been an annoyance since they were kids, and becoming a business partner in the Apple Basket market store with his mother only keeps her underfoot, and in his way--especially when the two women think his love life the amusing topic of date.



From the safety of her status as the one woman he'd never look twice at, Krista has mocked and tortured Shane with every start and end of his brief relationships. But calling him selfish was a lot easier before he became a Marine and was deployed for a year overseas. Now Shane's back, and old annoyances don't seem so annoying anymore. In fact, they seem downright sexy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Aug 2, 2013
• ISBN: 9781612178448

Roni Adams

Roni Adams is multi-published in short story and full-length fiction. Her love of romance novels began when, as a teenager, she would sneak the books of the mom whose kids she babysat and read the "naughty" parts. Although a writer of newspaper articles, opinion pieces, and even confessional stories, writing romance remains her passion. Her first full-length novel, Beauty and the Geek, was released by The Wild Rose Press in the summer of 2007 and she hasn't looked back since. Her “Double B” series from the Yellow Rose line, also at The Wild Rose Press, has received high praise and has a fan base who eagerly await the next in the series. Adams writes sassy heroines and heroes who can take them on. She never shies from the hottest of love scenes but makes sure the reader feels the emotional impact of her characters in every encounter. While she never bases her stories on real life she does admit that from time to time her three sons and other family members do seem to pop up in her books. Adams resides in Upstate NY in a tiny hamlet nestled along the Erie Canal. With her three sons now grown she fills her time with nagging them about wanting grandchildren. She enjoys traveling with her husband of 30 years and spending time at their place on Lake Ontario in the summer. Winters find her in her kitchen baking and cooking and sharing with friends and family.

Book preview

Inc.

A Hero

For

Tonight

by

Roni Adams

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

A Hero For Tonight

COPYRIGHT © 2013 by Roni Adams

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by R.J. Morris

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Champagne Rose Edition, 2013

Digital ISBN 978-1-61217-844-8

Published in the United States of America

Praise for The Double B series by Roni Adams

THE COWBOY DUET

I love the chemistry between Susan and Teddy. Never a dull moment either. You keep everything moving and keep your readers captivated and wanting more. I love the soft side of Teddy that you brought out in the book. Not at all what I had expected from him. I wish I was a Sampson girl living on the Ranch along with the Westons.

~a happy fan

~*~

TO TAME A COWGIRL

If you have never read Roni Adams, be prepared to be knee deep in steam. Buck and Sara are dynamite together. The second son of the family, Buck is an extremely strong personality in this book. He goes about things with an easy confidence and albeit the fact that he quakes in his boots when it comes to his feelings for Sara, he is absolutely the kind of guy any woman would want to roll over and meet in the morning.

~CK2sKwipsandKritiques.com (5 Shamrocks)

~*~

UNDER A RODEO MOON

The dialogue in this book is excellent and the chemistry between the leads is off the charts. This is the first book that I read of Roni Adams and I have to admit that I greatly enjoyed her writing style. UNDER A RODEO MOON had some heartwarming moments, and a whole lot of sexy moments mixed in that makes you forget what a jerk Dusty could be at times.

~Four Stars from www.romancereviews.com

Dedication

To my son, Brennan:

As a Marine you are the Country’s hero.

To your girlfriend you are the knight on the white horse.

To your brothers and your buddies you are the one who will always have their back.

But to me you are and always will be my little boy with the big blue eyes and the devilish grin; the one I could count on to be into some mischief as soon as my back was turned.

I’m so incredibly proud of all you’ve accomplished already.

Your courage, determination, and guts will continue to get you all you ever wanted.

I promise your dreams will come true if you never give up.

As I wrote this book the world lost two great men; heroes maybe to no one but their family and friends, but heroes none the less. God bless you Mark and Rick. You are missed dearly.

To military families everywhere:

No one knows the sacrifice you make every single day, but especially during a deployment, unless they’ve walked in your shoes.

God bless each and every one of you.

Thank you for your family’s service to our Country. I know how hard it is.

Semper Fi

Chapter One

Shane Donovan grimaced as he slammed the door to his patrol car a bit harder than he meant to. Closing the space between the driveway and the front porch, he took the steps two at a time without breaking stride. A firm yank pulled open the old screen door with its familiar squeak. The warm, spicy aroma of apples assailed his senses as he stepped into the front hall.

With a swipe of his head, he removed his deputy sheriff’s hat and headed for the back of his parents’ house. Ma?

In the kitchen, his mother’s voice called out as he reached the doorway. She turned her head to smile at him, but didn’t stop stirring the enormous kettle on the burner. What a nice surprise. What are you doing here in the middle of the day? Did you have lunch? Are you hungry?

With her brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, feet bare and slender frame encased in jeans and a T-shirt, she looked years younger than forty-five.

Shane stepped into the room. I already ate.

His gaze flicked past her to the woman seated at the kitchen table. Krista Saunders had one leg bent with her bare foot flat on the chair next to her hip. Although her eyebrow lifted in a sardonic expression, she said nothing.

He flicked his gaze over her as she chomped down hard on an apple before turning his attention back to the woman at the stove.

What are you making? His shoulders ached with tension, but he forced himself to control his anger with his mother before blasting her with the lecture he came to deliver.

She tipped her head. Really, Shane? It’s the end of September; you know what I’m making.

His gaze bounced off the half-empty bushel of apples on the floor to the pile on the table, and then to Krista just as she took another huge bite. The meat was pure white, telling him right away it was a Macintosh, most likely only hours from the tree.

Though the tart apples were his favorite, he didn’t reach for one.

This is the third batch of applesauce. We did apple pie filling all morning. His mother turned the burner on the stove down and set her wooden spoon on an apple-shaped dish on the counter. Wiping her hands on a similar print towel, she turned toward him. Sit down. I’ll get you some coffee and apple cake. It just came out of the oven, and I want you to try it. She reached for a mug and filled it before he could respond.

Shane set his jaw in determination as she fussed. Ma, I saw you yesterday.

His mother’s only reaction was a slight pause as she set the mug down to reach into the cupboard for a plate. When she moved back to the table, her steady smile was back in place.

She glanced to him as she shoved some apples aside to set his plate on the table; a slight glimmer of concern lit her eyes. Saw me? What do you mean? Of course you saw me; it’s a small town, honey.

He stood where he was without moving toward the tempting coffee. "You know what I mean. I saw you. Having lunch. I can’t believe you would do that."

I’m not allowed to have lunch out? She furrowed her brow and turned back to the counter.

It wasn’t the lunch that was the problem. It was who you were with, and you know it. How long has that been going on?

Going on? She laughed. You make it sound like I’m up to something illicit.

At the table, Krista smirked and Shane shot her a glare. The last person he wanted in on this conversation was her, but trying to get his mother alone was usually impossible. Krista always seemed to be at his parents’ place.

He turned back to his mother, watching her plate a piece of cake. Weren’t you? Why go to the far end of town? Why not eat at the diner like always?

I went to the barbecue place because I’d heard they had this amazing apple pie, and I wanted to try it. You are making this into something so much more than it is.

Don’t try to twist this around as if it was no big deal. Damn it, Ma! I’ve asked you before to stay away from—

The back door opened and his father walked in. He glanced from his wife to Krista and back to him. Uh-oh. What’s going on here?

Shane started to speak, but Krista piped in first.

Shane’s upset over Mary’s lunch yesterday.

His father moved to the sink. I told you he’d be mad.

"Dad knows? Shane’s jaw dropped open. And you’re okay with this? You don’t see why this would be a problem?"

After washing and drying his hands, his father reached for the coffee. Your mother does whatever she wants and you know it. I don’t have any control over her actions. I warned her it wasn’t going to sit well with you.

The woman in question smiled at her husband and lifted her chin as if she’d scored a victory, which she had; his father would never go against his mother.

Shane rubbed his hand across his forehead. Damn straight I have an issue with it!

Her ponytail bobbed as his mother shook her head. It really has nothing to do with you. Now, have your coffee and calm down.

The lure of the warm cake and coffee reluctantly drew him to the table, and he pulled out a chair. Krista gave him a mocking look, but he didn’t react as he sipped the strong brew. No one knew how to make a good cup of coffee like his mother.

Krista continued to stare.

He set his cup down. Don’t you have anything to do? Like maybe get a job or something?

"Don’t you have something to do? Like protect the town? she retorted, and tossed her apple core to the open garbage can without missing. My taxpayer dollars pay your salary, and here you are having cake and coffee at two in the afternoon."

His father laughed. She’s got you there, Shane.

"Maybe if she actually worked and paid tax dollars, but she—"

His mother tsked and set a plate of cake in front of her husband. You two both leave Shane alone. He’s very busy and works long hours. I’m glad he found some time to come visit, even if it was simply to yell at me.

He quirked his lips and a sigh escaped. I’m not yelling at you, Ma. But I’m telling you I don’t like it. It’s embarrassing.

His father laughed. You’re embarrassed because you don’t like to think of all of them sitting around talking about you.

Krista laughed and high-fived with his father like two conspirators.

Shane narrowed his eyes. Damn straight. It’s weird, that’s what it is. Shock couldn’t begin to describe what he’d felt when he spied his mother having lunch with not one, but six of his ex-girlfriends, all giggling like a bunch of teenage girls.

A heavy sigh sounded from his mother. Honey, I told you before, just because you end a relationship with a girl doesn’t mean mine ends with her.

Unable to resist the tempting aroma in front of him, he tucked into the cake. You having lunch with them isn’t right, he muttered.

As the warm cinnamon cake filled his mouth, his temper began to fade away. Sure, every woman he ever dated had bonded with his mother in some way or another. She’d loved them and they had loved her. Still, he had no idea they’d formed this little lunch club.

It’s not like we go to lunch every day. It’s only once in a while.

Once in a while? How often was that?

Krista stood, and Shane watched her cross to stand at the stove. She wore an old black T-shirt that clung to her frame and rose to reveal an expanse of her smooth back as she dropped more apples into the hot mixture. Her legs were long and golden brown from a quickly fading summer, and he noted a small jagged scar on the back of her knee. A long ago bad accident involving his bike and hers. Unfortunately, just as his gaze rose, settling on her shapely rear end in the cut-off denim shorts, she turned back around, and he was caught staring at her butt.

He met her gaze without flinching, even as embarrassed heat crept up the back of his neck. If his parents hadn’t been in the room, he knew she would have blasted him with language that could make most men wince. Instead, she discreetly shot him the middle finger salute.

He puckered his lips and blew her a kiss.

Below a dark, narrowed gaze, one hand slid to her rear end. Right here, Donovan, she quipped.

His mother turned to see what was happening, and Shane watched as their pain-in-his-ass neighbor turned innocent eyes to her hostess.

A suspicious look passed from one to the other. Obviously unable to catch them doing anything—she never had in the past either—his mother turned back to the stove once more.

How was that cake? Isn’t it good? It’s a new recipe Krista wanted to try. I think it’s far better than the one I’ve been making all these years.

Shane swallowed the last bite. I like yours better. No way was he going to let Krista get any type of approval from him. But about this little lunch club you have going—

I really wish you would stop going on about it. His mother stepped away from the stove. Krista, can you get me some more cinnamon from the basement?

Krista left the kitchen and he commented, Isn’t she a little old now to be helping you in the kitchen? When is she going to get a life?

His father poured a cup of coffee and leaned his hip against the counter. That’s pretty good coming from you.

Shane’s jaw dropped. "Me? You don’t think I have a life? The whole marine reserve, deployment to Iraq, not to mention the fact that I’m a deputy sheriff—that isn’t a life?"

His father glanced at his wife. As far as your mother is concerned, unless you’re married and giving her grandbabies, the rest is just your job, not a life.

I’m very, very proud of you. She crossed the room and picked up some more apples from the table. But it would be nice if you’d stop breaking up with all these nice girls and just marry one of them.

Which one should he have married? Krista returned to the kitchen and apparently seemed to think she could join in the conversation. I mean, if you could have had your pick, which one would you have chosen? By the way, you’re out of cinnamon, Mary.

Shane scowled and finished his coffee. He could certainly use another cup, but that would mean an even longer time here with Krista and her comments.

I’m out of cinnamon—completely? His mother commented, then tipped her head in contemplation of the previous conversation. I’ve loved all of Shane’s girlfriends. He could have had a nice marriage with any one of them.

Well, not all of them. His father shared an amused look with Krista, and they both laughed.

What about the one with the blue hair and all the piercings? His father grinned.

"I heard from the gals down at the beauty shop that those piercing were everywhere, if you get my drift," Krista added.

Mary tsked again. Patty was a nice girl. She just wasn’t sure who she wanted to be.

The same annoying laugh he’d heard his whole life filled the room as obnoxious as ever.

I think when she went to Vermont and married Carole. She knew she didn’t want to be with Shane. Krista turned and raised her eyebrows at him. It’s kind of funny that you were so bad she ran into the arms of another woman.

His father chuckled, and even his mother bit back a smile.

"Well, at least none of my exes are doing time. How is old Bruce by the way? Still getting out in four to six?" He was rewarded by the red stain that tinged Krista’s cheeks as her blue eyes shot daggers at him.

I don’t have any contact with Bruce.

No? Wow, jeez, Mom, maybe when he gets out you should invite him to lunch.

Stop it, both of you. Bruce was a nice boy. He had a rough childhood with his mother running off with that delivery man and never knowing his father. Poor kid, he never had a chance.

Shane didn’t even bother to comment. The guy had been a punk all through high school, and nothing thrilled him more than the day he’d slapped the cuffs on him. In typical Krista way, she hadn’t even reacted, simply watched as he shoved her boyfriend into his car and hauled him away.

His father walked back into the kitchen with another bushel of apples. Shane hadn’t even noticed he’d left.

This is the last bushel for today. Tomorrow they’ll be picking the Ida Reds and the Galas.

His mother nodded. That’s fine. She turned to Krista. We’ll make apple crisp in the morning for the senior center. That will give us enough time to get a few dozen pies done for the shop this weekend.

Who’s working Saturday? Shane picked up his empty plate and moved to the sink with it. I’m off and planned to spend the day there.

That’s terrific, honey. Krista will be working. I was going to stay and help her, but now that you’re going to be there, I can go with your father out to your grandparent’s house. The roof is leaking, again.

Shane’s head snapped up, and he spun back around. Why don’t I go out to Nana and Papa’s, and you stay and help with the stand? He’d rather do the entire roof by himself